EU citizens urged to avoid unofficial electoral registration websites

EU citizens that want to vote in the European Parliamentary elections in the UK are being urged by the Electoral Commission to only apply to register to vote through their local council or official websites.

Any EU citizen who wants to vote in the European Parliamentary election in the UK must also print, complete and return a declaration form stating that they will only vote in the UK. The form can be downloaded at the Your Vote Matters website and must be returned to the local Electoral Registration Officer by Tuesday 7 May.

An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: “We welcome efforts by campaigners to encourage eligible electors to register to vote. However, our advice to anyone not yet registered is to only apply directly at www.gov.uk/registertovote.

“EU citizens who want to vote at the European election in the UK must also complete a declaration form, and this should be returned directly to their Electoral Registration Officer.

“We are aware that some websites have been set-up to encourage EU citizens to register. We have concerns about their ability to ensure Electoral Registration Officers will receive completed applications before the deadline. We are also concerned about their use of people’s data and have referred these websites to the Information Commissioner’s Office."